The Later Han period, also known as the Eastern Han, lasted from 25 to 220 CE in ancient China. It followed the Western Han dynasty and is characterized by a return to centralized rule after a brief period of chaos. The capital was established in Luoyang, and the dynasty is noted for its advancements in technology, culture, and trade. During the Later Han, the Silk Road flourished, facilitating trade with regions such as Central Asia and Rome. The period also saw the rise of influential figures like Cao Cao and the development of Confucianism as a state philosophy, which shaped Chinese society for centuries to come.